What is a Softphone and what are its Benefits?

A softphone is a software program for making phone calls through VoIP service using a computer or smartphone, rather than using hardware. A softphone is designed to behave like a traditional telephone, with a display panel and buttons for the user to control like a standard phone interface.

After the softphone is installed, you need to connect it to your VoIP provider. When you make VoIP calls, the software encapsulates the voice data and sends it to the VoIP provider. The provider then converts the data into voice signals and transmit them to the right telephone exchange. The return voice signals go through the reverse procedure and a call is completed. So in short, a softphone enables you to make VoIP calls.

What are the benefits of Softphones?

1. It’s affordable.

As an extension of VoIP, softphones take advantage of its low-cost nature. A call from US to China costs $0.15/min for landline and $0.18/min for wireless, while with a VoIP service, the fees can be as low as $0.01/min for both landline and wireless.

Since softphones do not require a desk phone or a handset, it can save you hundreds of dollars. In fact, cost efficiency is the most important factor that drives a growing number of businesses to switch to softphones.

2. It provides a unified solution.

In the age of globalization, your business can be anywhere around the globe. If you are the kind of person who travels a lot, keeping in touch with your business partners at home could be an issue. International roaming could easily cost you more than $100 per month. Using the local service is cheaper, but the trouble is you need to upgrade your contacts with your new number and what’s more, they need to make pricy international calls to contact you. Softphones free you from the painstaking trade-off between retaining the same number and keeping costs low. No matter where you are, you are connected with people anywhere and with the same number, as long as you have access to the Internet.

3. It frees up space on your desk.

Technology is everywhere! Computers, printers, fax machines… Keeping a lovely plant on your desk seems like a nice idea. But wait, the space is taken by your phone. What’s more, the wires make your space look like the room of Frankenstein. With software phones, your desk is freed. Finally, you can have some non-electronic stuff around you and you don’t need to worry about tripping over wires.

Given the major advantages of using a softphone to make VoIP calls there’s no reason every small business or mobile businessperson hasn’t switched to a VoIP phone system to benefit from the cost efficiency, productivity, and ultimate freedom it provides.